Best 3 Primary schools in Sunderland – comparison

Q: How are these comparisons built?

We align public datasets side-by-side. Headline Ofsted judgement and publication date are shown when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; free users see rounded values.

Q: What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded Section 8 visits do not replace the last graded judgement. We continue to show the latest graded judgement until a new graded inspection is published.

Q: Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are Pro features. Everyone can still compare approximate values.

Q: How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then consider distance and travel, roll versus capacity, and the admissions policy. Visit the school, ask about pastoral support and enrichment, and ensure it fits your child’s needs.

Q: What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; review capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and look at trust or local authority governance. Read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding details.

Comparison of primary schools: St John Boste Catholic Primary School, Washington (Primary) in Washington; Barnwell Academy (Primary) in Houghton le Spring; Bernard Gilpin Primary School (Primary) in Houghton le Spring — covering Ofsted outcomes, size, FSM%, governance, capacity & more.

At a glance

This page compares St John Boste Catholic Primary School, Washington, Barnwell Academy and Bernard Gilpin Primary School. They are primary phase and academy converter and community school type located around Washington, Tyne and Wear and Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear. The strongest headline Ofsted judgement here is 1 (St John Boste Catholic Primary School, Washington), published Mar 2024. The most recent inspection on record is for St John Boste Catholic Primary School, Washington (Mar 2024). average roll around ≈ 300, combined total ≈ 900, typical FSM 20–25%, range 15–20%–20–25%; spread across trusts such as BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST and TYNE AND WEAR LEARNING TRUST.

🔒 Export (Pro)

Attribute	St John Boste Catholic Primary School, Washington NE38 0HL	Barnwell Academy DH4 7RT	Bernard Gilpin Primary School DH5 8DA
Phase / Type	Primary • Academy converter	Primary • Academy converter	Primary • Community school
Location	Washington Tyne and Wear NE38 0HL	Houghton le Spring Tyne and Wear DH4 7RT	Houghton le Spring Tyne and Wear DH5 8DA
Latest Ofsted	1 25 Mar 2024	1 17 Sep 2023	1 13 Nov 2022
Ofsted report	—	—	—
Pupils (roll)	≈ 200 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 300 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 400 🔒 Unlock exact pupils
FSM %	15–20% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	20–25% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	20–25% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %
Capacity	223	210	400
Capacity utilisation	Under capacity 🔒 View exact %	Over capacity 🔒 View exact %	Over capacity 🔒 View exact %
Age range	—	—	—
Gender	Mixed	Mixed	Mixed
Admissions policy	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Trust / Local authority	BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST	TYNE AND WEAR LEARNING TRUST	Sunderland (394)
Website	www.stjohnbostewashington.bwcet.com	www.barnwellacademy.co.uk	www.bernardgilpin.com
Telephone	01914166200	01915844440	01919172999
SEN provision	None reported	None reported	None reported
Profile	View profile	View profile	View profile

St John Boste Catholic Primary School, Washington

NE38 0HL

Phase / Type: Primary • Academy converter
Location: Washington
Tyne and Wear
NE38 0HL
Ofsted: 1 25 Mar 2024
Pupils: ≈ 200 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 15–20% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: BISHOP WILKINSON CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST
Website: www.stjohnbostewashington.bwcet.com
Telephone: 01914166200

Barnwell Academy

DH4 7RT

Phase / Type: Primary • Academy converter
Location: Houghton le Spring
Tyne and Wear
DH4 7RT
Ofsted: 1 17 Sep 2023
Pupils: ≈ 300 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 20–25% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: TYNE AND WEAR LEARNING TRUST
Website: www.barnwellacademy.co.uk
Telephone: 01915844440

Bernard Gilpin Primary School

DH5 8DA

Phase / Type: Primary • Community school
Location: Houghton le Spring
Tyne and Wear
DH5 8DA
Ofsted: 1 13 Nov 2022
Pupils: ≈ 400 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 20–25% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Sunderland (394)
Website: www.bernardgilpin.com
Telephone: 01919172999

Map of compared schools

How are these comparisons built?

We line up public school data side-by-side. Ofsted “headline” judgement is shown with the publication date when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; everyone sees rounded values.

What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded visits (Section 8) check whether the previous graded judgement still stands, but do not replace it. We keep the latest graded judgement as the headline until a new graded inspection is published.

Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, we show approximate pupils and bucketed FSM% to free users. Upgrade to AllSchools Pro to unlock precise figures and exports.

How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then check whether it aligns with your child’s needs. Look at distance and travel, typical class sizes (roll vs capacity), and the school’s admissions policy. Speak to the school, arrange a visit, and ask about pastoral support and enrichment.

What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; scan capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and review trust/local authority for governance. If available, read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding detail.